Amid controversy, Father Judge’s Dennis Boice did not emerge with the football, but he did walk away with a victory, after the Crusaders rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Bonner-Prendergast, 25-24, Saturday in a nonleague game at Lincoln.

Father Judge wins in disputed finish

Rally Staff

Posted:
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 8:43 PM

Amid controversy, Father Judge’s Dennis Boice did not emerge with the football, but he did walk away with a victory, after the Crusaders rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Bonner-Prendergast, 25-24, Saturday in a nonleague game at Lincoln.

After Ryan Mackiewicz ran 26 yards for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter to put Father Judge in front, 25-24, the Friars drove to Judge’s 29 with little time remaining.

On a last-second heave, Boice intercepted a tipped pass and dropped the ball in celebration with no time remaining on the clock. A Friars player then picked up the ball.

Despite Bonner-Prendie’s protests, the officials ruled that Boice had stepped out of bounds before he dropped the ball, ending the game and giving Judge the win.

Bonner-Prendie had led for most of the first half. Jim Haley put the Friars on the board first on a 3-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter.

Boice tied the score with a 2-yard run, but Bonner-Prendie reclaimed the lead in the first quarter when Mike Shanahan ran for a 4-yard touchdown.

The Crusaders took a 13-12 lead in the second quarter when Boice scored again and Connor Foley converted the game’s only successful extra point.

Vince Brooks ripped off a 10-yard touchdown run before halftime to put the Friars ahead, 18-13.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Crusaders went ahead, 19-18. Mackiewicz contributed to his first score of the quarter when he found Albi Arapaj for a 52-yard touchdown early in the period.

Haley responded for Bonner-Prendie with his second touchdown of the game, a 1-yard run, putting the Friars ahead, 24-19, midway through the final period.